CONSTRUCTION of a new 5.2km metro line to serve the waterfront area of Tokyo's Koto Ward is a step closer after The Koto Ward Office revealed a plan that would make the project eligible for central government subsidies.

SINGAPORE Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (SMRT) has awarded a contract worth more than Yen 8bn ($US 80.5m) to Toshiba, Japan, to re-equip a fleet of 66 six-car metro trains with permanent-magnet synchronous traction motors.

COMMERCIAL services began on March 16 on the 1.5km link between Daikanyama and Shibuya in Tokyo, completing the connection between Fukutoshin metro line and suburban lines to the south-west of the city.